Railway signal fusee, compound therefor, and method of making same



Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS S. ROSS, OF NEWTONVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

RAILWAY SIGNAL FUSEE, COMPOUND THEREFOR, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

Io Drawing.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs S. Ross, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newtonville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have inventedan Improvement in Railway Signal Fusees, Comounds Therefor, and Methods of Making me, of which the following description is a specification.

his invention relates to railway signal fusees, igniting compounds therefor and the method of making the same.

In order that the principle of my invention may be readily understood, I have set forthin the ensuing description one embodimentiofthe railway signal fusee and compound of my invention and the best mode known to me for igniting such fusee with my compound.

Railway signal fusees are preferably composed of potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and carbonaceous material, or a hydrocarbon or a carbohydrate; For some years, such fusees have been manufactured containing potassium perchlorate instead of potassium chlorate with the result that accidental or spontaneous ignition fires resulting from railway signal fusees have been very largely, if not wholly, eliminated. The color and brilliancy of the flame of the so-called perchlorate fusee are regarded as satisfactory but there is a general belief that such fusee does not have as good burning qualities as the so-called old style sulphur and chlorate fusees. It has been attempted to overcome this objection by the addition of a small quantity of potassium chlorate to the potassium perchlorate mixture, and this is now permitted by the bureau for the safe transportation of explosives and other dangerous articles provided the amount of potassium chlorate does not exceed 2.5% since this does not bring the temperature of ignition below 250 C.

It has heretofore been the practice to use either a match composition or some inflammable composition containing chlorate of potash and carbonaceous material that will ignite either by flame or with a complementary material such as red phosphorus such composition being used as the so-called priming, of the railway fusee. There is a comparatively low temperature incident to the combustion of the priming in such case and while it has heretofore been the practice to use a potassium and sulphur Application filed April 30, 1920. Serial No. 377,940.

able difficulty has been experienced in com plying with such specifications in that the rlusees-frequently fail to ignite in service, owing to the fact that the more stable potassium perchlorate has-been substituted for potassium chlorate in the main burning per-- tion or composition of the fusee.

H A potasslum perchlorate composition has a very high igniting point and in fact it is extremely diificult to ignite it with the flame of an ordinary match. In view of such difiicuh' ties in ignition, I have givenvery extensive study to the problem and have, after an extensive period of experimentation, produced a new igniter or priming for fusees and like compositions with a consequent novel fusee, and have devised a new method of ignition of fusees and compositions.

An important feature of my invention is the utilization of the reaction between an oxide, preferably a metallic oxide, and most desirably an iron oxide, and some substance or substances capable of reducing or deoxidizing the oxide and setting free molten metal, desirably iron, with generation of great heat.

Preferably I employ a magnetic iron oxide and such oxide may be provided in iron spike or member or if desired I may employ iron filings or the so-called steel wool. Obviously, however, the desired metal may be utilized in any approved form. I do not limit myself to the use of magnetic iron oxide as substantially the same result may be obtained, but not as rapidly or efficiently, if ordinary iron oxide be used instead. With such oxide or substance containing oxide, I employ, as stated, some substance whereby the mixture may be ignited and the preliminary reaction started. Desirably also in the priming which contains such oxide I use some substance, preferably potassium chlorate, which when brought in contact with the striking member, results in ignition that starts the reaction in the priming composition. desirably red phosphorus or a mixture of red phosphorus and antimony sulphide.

While I desire to claim broadly a compound, fusee or torch, and method, involving an oxide for the purpose stated, it is highly desirable that the priming be waterproof even when subjected to immersion in water, owing to the conditions under which railway signal fusees must be used, and yet the priming must be capable of instant ignition and burning when the complementary material of the striking member is brought into contact therewith.

In accordance with my invention, I effect the rapid and infallible ignition of perchlorate mixtures or compounds requiring a high mixing point, and in the practice of my invention I bring molten metal, preferably iron, into close proximity to or into contact with the perchlorate mixture.

Heretofore in many cases the priming or chemical mixture has after ignition burned itself out without communicating c0mbus-. .tion to the main perchlorate composition,

this being due to low combustion temperature. imperfect mixing of the chemicals or carelessness in applying the mixture. My invent-ion overcomes all these difliculties for in the practice thereof drops or particles of molten metal, such as iron, are brought into contact in a white hot state with the chemical compositions of the body of the fusee requiring ignition. Once combustion is started in the priming of my invention, the rapidity of the chemical reaction reduces the iron or other oxide to a white incandescent mass, leaving small particles of molten iron or other metal, desirably iron, in contact with the perchlorate or other composition and communicating flame thereto with rapidity and reliability.

To insure safety in, mixing the materials I ,desirably carefully mix the powdered chlorate of potassium magnetic-iron oxide and other ingredients in a dry state, and then mix them with a liquid shellac containing the reducing material. This allows the entire mixture to be poured into a small opening or depression in the compound of the railway fusee or torch. The alcohol in the shellac evaporates, and the priming thus poured sets in a short time in a solid mass, and by the incorporation of the shellac 7 mixture, there is furnished not only the necessary combustible material for the priming, but the desired imperviousness to moisture.

I have stated that the perchlorate fusee consists of potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a carbonaceous material. The said metallic nitrate is particularly susceptible to moisture, and it is therefore highly desirable that the opening in Such striking member is the fusee leading to the body mixture or composition be sealed with a moisture resisting compound. This is effected in the practice of my invention.

Having thus set forth my invention I desire it to be understood that in practising the same many different formulas may be employed, and that I do not limit myself to any particular formula. I will, however, set forth a single formula from the use of which I have obtained excellent results, without, however, limiting myself by sodo- 1ng.

In accordance with such formula, I employ eighteen parts of chlorate of potassium, one part of charcoal, two parts of umber, three-quarters of a part of strontium carbonate, and a sufficient quantity of liquid shellac (that is, shellac and-alcohol). To three pounds. of a mixture made up of the foregoing ingredients in the proportions stated, I add one-half pound of magnetic iron oxide and one eighth of a pound of magnesium.

Chlorate of potassiumand barium peroxide contain oxygen and the metals magnesium or aluminum have great afiinity for oxygen, and when ignited they will so rapidly extract oxygen -from mixtures containing these chemicals and containing iron oxide or magnetic iron oxide (Fe,0,) that the oxygen is rapidly extracted leaving the iron in a molten state and at such a high temperature that it instantly communicates the flame .to the material to be ignited.

I may in the practice of my invention and in the provision of the priming, provide barium peroxide, magneslum and aluminum, and I may omit one or even two of the last three substances although the results are not as satisfactor as in the case where all three are used. oreover my'invention may be practised without the use of shellac or equivalent, and without the use of chlorate of potassium, but by the use of chlorate of potash I am enabled to ignite the mixture by contact with complementary material containing red phosphorous. If the shellac be omitted, the mixture is not waterproof, but I may omit it within the scope and purpose of my invention.

I believe that I am the first to provide a priming that can be satisfactorily used for igniting compositions requiring a high degree of ignition, and which in its desirable form is a solid, waterproof, inflammable mixture capable of withstanding shock, abuse and rough handlin and yet capable of quick ignition in win and rain.

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention and the best method known to me for practising my invention,.I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for 2. 'A *railway signal fusee containing piotassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a carbonaceous material, and a priming therefor having incorporated therein chlorate of potassium, charcoal, umber, strontium carbonate, magnetic iron oxide and magnesium.

3. A railway signal fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a carbonaceous material, and a priming therefor having incorporated therein p0t'assium chlorate, umber, iron oxide and magnesium.

4:. A railway signal fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a carbonaceous material, and a priming therefor having incorporated therein, potassium chlorate,'1ron oxide and magnesium.

5. A railway signal fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate and sulphur, and a priming therefor containing potassium chlorate, iron oxide and magnesium.

6. A railway signal fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate and sulphur, and a priming therefor containing potassium chlorate and iron oxide.

7. A railway signal 'fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a canbonaceous material, and a priming therefor containing chlorate of potassium, magnesium imber, strontium carbonate and magnetic iron oxide.

8. A railway signal fusee containing potassium rchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur an a carbonaceous material, and a priming therefor containing chlorate of potassium, charcoal, strontium carbonate, iron oxide, umber, magnesium and aluminum.

9. A railway signal fusee containing potassium perchlorate, metallic nitrate, sulphur and a carbonaceous material, and a priming therefor containing chlorate of potassium and iron oxide.

In. testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LOUIS S. ROSS. 

